COPs on the Hill – Stories from the week of March 19, 2010

COPs on the Hill

Stories from the week of March 19, 2010

 Is that all you have to wear?  On Tuesday I needed to collect the change of staffers in the Longworth Bldg in preparation to begin my meetings there.   To avoid sweating badly, I dressed in my COPs t-shirt to go into 131 offices.   I had been in Congressman Hank Johnson’s (D-GA) office for just a few moments, when he came thru the door.   Recall he was the Member who saw me at Christamas in my shirt, as I delivered MPP’s Christmas car and we chatted.   Recall I asked him a question at the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) seminar last fall…in my T-shirt.

 Anyway, he shook my hand, asked what progress I was making, etc.  We had an excellent two minute chat with 7 staffers gathered around us (I am sure in a bit of amazement).  I hope Congressman Johnson knows I have more to wear than my t-shirt!  Small steps.

 We love pack rats:*  After last week’s Senate hearing on how the Mexican Drug Cartels are corrupting federal officers, I remembered that Bob Ramsey of Texas (who recruited* me into Drug Reform 13 years ago) had given me a graph showing this type of corruption.   Doug Ierley of Senator Webb’s office wanted info on corruption.   Bob dug thru his many files of info and located the document, sending it to me.    The document is already with Doug and will be in the hands of all the offices of Senators on the committee which held the hearing.   Thanks Bob. 

Don’t lose your humanity:    Last Sunday afternoon I heard the news of the slaughter of innocents in Ciudad Juarez — 3 adults (one pregnant) connected to our consulate and the wounding of two of their children.  For 30 seconds my mind raced to understand how this tragedy would help move and end the policy of prohibition.   Then BOOM.   My thinking process came to a screeching halt.  I became horrified that my first thoughts had been about the policy, instead of what a tragedy of huge proportions.   3 children are now orphans, many families are weeping as they make preparations for a funeral, etc.  I spoke to Karen and aired out* how I needed to keep all in perspective.   Truly I have been drinking too much of the DC water.   I need more time with Misty.  Something.

 COP stats for first year to date:

 278 presentations to Congressional  Staffers

8  presentations to VIPs (elected officials)

31 published Letters to the Editor (that we know of)

Numerous conferences, hearings & briefings attended.  C-Span broadcast my question at a Senate briefing

8  radio shows

Two TV interviews (Colombian TV) & Fox

 *pack rat = eine Person, die alles aufbewahrt, nichts weg wirft.

* recruited = hat mich überzeugt tätig zu werden

* aired out = Luft machen, auslüften, etwas wie das.. über alles sprechen und ausdrücken.

 Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.  Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or check.

Detective/Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772

 Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional &  immoral  domestic policy since slavery  & Jim Crow.